Lumber Su rvey Committee Recommends Further Stock Reductions

Washington, Jan. 8.-Lumber stocks were reduced by approximately 2 billion feet during 1931, but a further reduction to the extent of approximately 4 billion feet during 1932 is recommended by the Lumber Survey Committee in its quarterly survey for the last quarter of 1931 just reported to the U. S. Timber Conservation Board. In this connection the committee calls attention to the curtailed market, lumber consumption having declined one-half since 1928.

Although some important factors in the industry "are apparently not participating in the effort to restore the lumber supply and demand question to a condition of reasonable balance," the industry continues to react favorably to stock reduction recommendations of previous r,eports, the survey states. Reduction during the last quarter shows more uniformity among the principal species than heretoIOre.

Among other recommendations the report suggests that lumber manufacturers consider the practicability of pooling of stocks. of consolidation of sales, and of deferred financing facilities which will stimulate building, especially farm and small residence building.

Recommendations of this latest report read:

First: That the reduction of excess stocks in the hands of lumber manufacturers be continued to the extent necessary to re-establish a reasonable balance between stocks and demand. For the industrv as a whole such reduction during 1932 should be approximately 3.8 billion feet.

Second: That manufacturers and groups of manufacturers examine their own, and the industry's, stocks by species and by items to ascertain whether item shortages in their own stocks are elsewhere available in surplus, thus avoiding the necessity of additional production of items already in surplus in order to replenish stocks of scarce items; and that in current production, diligent effort be made to avoid unnecessary additions to stocks of items already in surplus.

Third: That to the extent to which financial and commodity exigencies will permit, and with due regard in each region to seasonal production and demand factors, lumber production by individual manufacturers during the next six months be adjusted with view to the accomplishment within the year of the recommended regional reduction in stocks.

Fourth: That manufacturers in each region consider the practicability of pooling of stocks, and of such consolidation of sales as may offer sound prospects of added economy and flexibility in production and distribution; and, especially in the Pacific Northwest, the economic advantages of regional consolidations of ownership and operation.

Fifth: That consideration be given to the need and to the means of deferred financing which will stimulate additional prudent building, especially farm business buildings and small homes.

Sixth: That the Timber Conservation Board make, or cause to be made, further periodic surveys and reports on current and prospective lumber supply and demand, with suitable recommendations.

The report was signed by the full committee consisting of Thomas F. Holden, F. W. Dodge Company; Frank M. Surface, assistant director, U. S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce; M. W. Stark, lumber and coal economist; Calvin Fentress, president, Baker, -Fentress & Co., and Wilson Compton, secretary and manager, National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

1930 Census o[ Distribution tVill

Show 1929 Lumber Sales

In addition to the usual reports on manufactures of lumber and allied products, the Bureau of the Census in its 1930 Census has gathered data pertaining to distribution of lumber sales during L9D by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, according to the Lumber Division of the Department of Commerce.

Distribution of sales by value of the plants in the 1og, lumber and other timber products industry shows channels used by the plants in the United States engaged in producing these products and includes logging camps producing logs, bolts and rough products as hewn crossties, poles, posts, mine timbers, wheel and handle stock, excelsior stock, etc.; sawmills producing rough lumber, laths, shingles, staves, etc., and other products from logs and bolts; and planing mills operated in conjunction with sawmills. These data show number of plants, total sales by value and sales by value to the various distributors or consumers, by states. These reports will be available in printed form at an early date.

General wholesale trade reports are now available for cities of 100,000 population or over and include number of establishments, net sales 1929 by value for lumber and building material (other than metal) wholesalers. This group is broken down into 11 subdivisions, among which are lumber; lumber and millwork; millwork; 4nd roofing materials (nonmetallic). General state reports will eventually be issued covering the states as a whole but not showing smaller cities. The state reports will show 14 subdivisions under the lumber and building materials group, along which will be lumber; lumber and millwork; and millwork.

General retail trade reports are now available for cities of 10,000 population or over and eventually will be available for municipalities of 1,000 population orover. A report on general retail distribution in the U. S. is now available by counties and cities over 10,000 population showing for the lumber and building groups the number of stores and sales by value, but it is not broken down further. The individual general state reports break down the lumber and building group to show lumber and building materials at retail (including roofing) ; lumber and hardware; and roofing sales by value. The individual city reports covering retailing in general have a similar breakdown when such is possible without individual disclosures.

For the various types of business covered in the general Census of Distribution Reports the establishments have been classified according to the major line of merchandise handled.

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Explanation:

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You'II Lihe Belieaing it

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